Using Teams vs. Adopting Teams

Do you consider yourself a USER of Teams or have you fully ADOPTED it?

I have been working with SO MANY organizations that are using Teams but want to fully ADOPT teams. The difference is - have you changed the way you work? Have you transitioned your communication from email to chats and posts?  Most of the companies I'm working with them have had Teams setup and installed for more than a year but they are really only USING the most basic features. They have yet to fully implement and integrate it.  The missing link is TRAINING.

Using Teams

If you are only using Teams - you probably use the following features.

• Use Teams for meetings
• Send occasional Teams meeting invites
• Send occasional chats

Adopting Teams

If you've fully adopted Teams, you probably do most of the following:

• Utilize Teams for most internal meetings and externally hosted meetings 
• Utilize Teams for 90% of internal communication (chats and posts)
• Have reduced internal e
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Microsoft Access Support, Dev and Training

You may think Microsoft Access is a thing of the past....but not totally, here's why. I know this might be somewhat controversial, but from my experience, Access is still a big part of the services I provide.

Some Background

Access has been around since the early 90's. I've been using it, developing applications with it, supporting databases and training people on it since 1995.  Don't mistake me, there are certainly things Access isn't a good fit for - which, if we're honest is true for ANY application. There are however too many currently used Access databases out there to ignore it. 

A Few Big Reasons People Still Use Access

1. There are existing databases your company has used and they still server their purpose. It can be a smart move to save both time and money to continue to use and support an Access database that still serves it's purpose.
   
   
2. Access can be used as a front end tool for a robust SQL backend which provides a very secure
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Finding Teams Files Anywhere

As you fully integrate Teams and move and store more of your files in Teams, it's important to be able to find those files easily. This is a really simple process but for most users, is a huge time saver as well as a way to more fully integrate Teams. 

One of the best ways to find files stored in Teams is to use the SYNC feature in the channel of a team. This features let's you perform a one-time sync which allows you to always have access to the files you share in Teams from File Explorer. When you have your Team's channels synced to File Explorer, it's easier to save files when you're in an O365 app like Word or Excel.

You only need to sync one time and it will remain synchronized in File Explorer indefinitely.

1. Go to the Files tab inside the channel of the Team you want to sync.
   
   
   
2. Once the files are synchronized (depending on how many files there are, it may take a few minutes). You will see the file show up in your File Explorer. There will be a sep
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Training in Teams

If you use the Teams app to deliver training, there are a few great features and best practices that are really helpful. 

Best Practices

1. Use the Attendance List.
   This allows you to keep track of who attended. It's a virtual "sign in list". This is especially helpful if the training is required or linked to objectives or goals.
   
   
2. Use 2 Screens.
   Having one screen to share and present and another screen to view the meeting is optimal. It lets you keep track of questions or activity in the meeting chat as well as if someone raises their hand.
   
   Share the Screen with the Camera.
   This might seem obvious or simple. But if you have multiple screens, be sure to have your "shared" screen be the one that has your camera on it. It's much easier as an attendee to watch the shared screen and the video of the presenter looking at you rather than the other screen.
   
   
3. Change the Meeting Setting to Everyone for the Lobby.
   Once your training session starts, you don't want to be interrupted o
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Sharing Files in Teams and OneDrive

One of the most frequent ways I get engaged as a Collaboration Consultant is to help people better understand file sharing and how it works both internally and externally within Teams and OneDrive.

Sharing files internally in Teams is pretty easy. You click the paperclip icon in a chat, in a channel or in a meeting.

Sharing files externally can be a little more confusing.  If you have external access to people in Teams - you can sometimes use the above methods of chat, channels and meetings. However, sometimes your correspondence with external users isn't in Teams. Sometimes you want to share files with users externally but it doesn't make sense to use Teams.

Sharing files using OneDrive is SUPER easy and straight forward.

This is one of the tips I'd encourage you to watch the video. It's easier to understand and I'm able to explain it in more detail than typing it all out.

Sharing a file (files) with external users via OneDrive

1. From wit
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Tips for Teams Meeting Invites

When sending a Team's meeting invite, there are some settings you can do ahead of time. Depending on if your invite is from within the Teams app or an Outlook invitation, you will see different features in different places.

Watch the video - for specifics!

Ways to customize Teams Meeting Invites

Watch the video for the full description and how to but these are at a high level the things you can customize in a meeting invitation.

• Lobby Settings
  Attendees may sit in a virtual lobby depending on your settings. Decide who can start the meeting, who can bypass the lobby.
  
  
• Set Presentation Permissions
  Decide ahead of time, who you want to grant permission to present. This can always be changed after the meeting starts.
  
  
• Disable Meeting Chat and/or Reactions
  Disable the ability to chat with meeting participants or the ability to use the reactions like raising their hand, heart etc.
  
  
• Prevent mic and/or video for participants
  Disable participant mic or video
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7 New Teams "In Meeting" Features in 7 Minutes

These features get rolled out behind the scenes. I'm breaking them down for you and showing them to you.  I'll highlight them in a list - but the best way to see them is to watch the video above.

#1 - Change your Camera, Speakers, Mic

You already probably know how to change it before you get logged into your meeting - but what if you need to change it mid meeting.

#2 - Change the Lobby Settings

After your meeting starts, you may need to adjust how you want the lobby to be utilized. Once I start my larger meetings or training sessions, I typically change it to everyone so I don't need to let everyone in one by one or get interrupted when people come and go due to connectivity issues.

#3 - Change your Background (after meeting has started)

This is another feature you probably have set when you start a meeting but did you know you can change it mid meeting?

#4 - Standout While Sharing Content

Fun features that allows you to have a sm...

Comparing Custom, Paid Training to Generic, Free Training

At first glance, you're probably thinking - uh - free - duh? But is it that simple? Let's take a look. 

First, free training is ideal if you know exactly what you're looking to learn, for example "How to write a basic formula in Excel" or "How to send a meeting invite in Teams" or "How to create a signature in Outlook". These are each specific and generic requests. When I say generic, I mean it doesn't matter if you work in retail, banking, insurance or healthcare - you won't need a unique setup of instructions based on your job or industry. You can easily google these phrases and get hundreds of decent to good quality instructions and/or videos. 

Much of the time free training is also static and asynchronous (not live). It is already written and recorded. Free training also tends to be more basic. The more complex what you're learning, the more important it is to apply it to your unique industry, job-type or data. 

So there...

Do you know your Learning Style?

There are 3 main learning styles.

1. Auditory - by listening
2. Visual - by seeing
3. Tactile/Kinesthetic - by doing

Most of us are a combination of these but understanding HOW you learn best can help you choose the best way to learn. Learning your make up will help you learn to choose the best way to learn and the primary focus.

The best classes take ALL these into account but as a learner, this will help you know where to focus and to ensure your primary learning style has been addressed. For example, if you are primarily a tactile/kinesthetic learner, you want to make sure there is hands on component to your learning plan.

Use these links or find other ways to assess your learning style. Here are 2 quizzes you can take that are pretty accurate and only take a few minutes and may help give you some insight into your learning style. I have no association with these so use caution in case these links have changed. You are not required to share any per...

What's the Difference between Coaching and Training? Should I Hire a Coach or Sign Up for a Training?

I have been "the coach" and "the coached", "the trained" and "the trainer". Whether you are looking for training or coaching, both have learning as an outcome. What's the difference? Training (classes) provide a one-time class which can be customized and is typically for a group. Coaching is a one-on-one option that is ongoing and provides additional accountability and consistency.  

As a coach and trainer, in BOTH cases I believe in an individualized approach to learning. Whether your goal is to learn a specific program, a new skill or attain a new competency level, your industry, prior knowledge and learning style must be taken into consideration for effective learning, retention and application. 

Training

When it comes specifically to learning technology, there is no shortage of training opportunities. Some are free, others are expensive.  A short search in your browser or YouTu...